Sen. Leahy supports filibuster against Gorsuch

In a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in Washington on Monday, April 3, 2017, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D- VT, speaks about Neil Gorsuch, saying that he cannot support his nomination to the Supreme Court.
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Leahy cited one instance in which he asked Gorsuch whether the Constitution allows the president to impose a religious litmus test for entry into the United States.

Gorsuch, in written comments, replied that "it would not be proper for a nominee to express views that touch on or could be perceived as touching on claims made in pending or impending litigation."

The judge's desire not to comment on potential cases failed to satisfy Leahy's concerns.

"That is a valid concern, but only within reason," Leahy said. "It should not be used to evade questions on long-settled precedent or on the meaning and purpose of constitutional provisions."

Leahy announced that he will oppose Republican efforts to advance Gorsuch.

“I will not, I cannot support advancing this nomination," Leahy said.

Senators who support Gorsuch will need 60 votes to end any Democratic filibuster, unless they change Senate rules to allow a simple majority vote.

Gorsuch, a federal appeals-court judge, is Prestident Donald Trump’s nominee to fill the Supreme Court seat held by Antonin Scalia, who died in February 2016.

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